The one-day music festival at Railroad Park, a free concert set to replace the Crawfish Boil, catered to Birmingham's diverse community – and embraced it.

Hip-hop stalwarts The Roots closed out the show with rousing renditions of their hits, but the event wasn't just for rap fans. Other acts like Birmingham Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard, Fancy Reagan, DJ Coco, Preston Lovinggood and The Dirty Lungs offered pop, rock and R&B stylings. No matter the musical taste, there was a little something for everyone.

That vibrancy carried over into nearby Regions Field, where revelers watched the Barons play a sold-out game. Barons officials estimated the crowds in the park after the game let out at more than 20,000.

Law enforcement encountered no major incidents, dispelling the myth that large crowds downtown trigger trouble. It's proof that downtown Birmingham can be a hub for entertainment and family-friendly events.

We're excited to see that momentum continue to build.

There were a couple of glitches in the first-time event, including complaints of crude music played between family-friendly acts. Organizers said they're aware of the issue and will make sure it won't happen in the future. But the bottom line is that everyone involved deserves kudos In the wake of the success of CityFest. We hope that it provides a springboard for more of the same — a right-sized music festival that can be around for a long time to come.

What suggestions do you have for upcoming CityFest events? Leave your comments below.

CityFest's diverse offerings resulted in a sea of faces that accurately portray our diverse community. It's the kind of harmony we need.

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